Uruguay to host China-LAC business summit

Chinese investors will get a chance for a closer look at potential markets in Latin America during a one-stop platform later this year at a central point of the region.

Ma Zhenxuan (L),president of Public Diplomacy & Culture Exchange Center receives a replica piece of Uruguay's 1930 World Cup trophy from Benjamín Liberoff, vice minister of tourism of Uruguay, during a conference to promote the 2017 China-Latin American and Caribbean Business Summit in Beijing September 19, 2017. [Provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The 2017 China-Latin American and Caribbean Business Summit will kick off in Punta del Este in Uruguay from Nov 30 to Dec 2. The forum in Punta del Este will focus on topics like infrastructure, renewable energy and agribusiness, a summit executive said.

Uruguay, covering an area of 176,000 square kilometers, lies on the east coast of the Pacific Ocean between Brazil and Argentina, the two largest countries on the continent. It boasts the continent's finest distribution center, connecting to more than 600 million consumers. Featuring natural wonders, an abundance of resources and political stability, the country is emerging as one of the hottest destinations for world tourists and investment.

Punta del Este, which means "End of the East" in Spanish, is 130 kilometers northeast of the capital city of Montevideo, one of the world's top recreation and business resorts.

Benjamín Liberoff, visiting vice minister of tourism of Uruguay, said the country is doing its utmost to attract more Chinese investors and visitors. The visa policy is one such effort, Liberoff said during a Beijing press conference prior to the summit on Tuesday. The vice minister said they would like to invite Chinese President Xi Jinping for a visit around the G20 Summit in Argentina next year as the two countries will celebrate the 30th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations.

There are about 1,500 Chinese tourists to Uruguay on average every year, among the 6,000 who come from Asia. 170,000 come from Europe.

According to Fernando Lugris, Uruguay's ambassador to China, China is Uruguay's top trade partner and Uruguay is the top beef exporter to China. Uruguay has toured more than 20 cities in China, and all Latin American nations to promote the country's tourism and preparation work before the summit.

Representatives from Costa Rica, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador and Peru gave a introduction promoting their countries' qualities at the Tuesday conference.

The conference was supported by the Public Diplomacy & Culture Exchange Center, China's largest non-official diplomatic institute.

Ma Zhenxuan, president of the exchange center, said the China-LAC exchange is an important part of China's Belt and Road Initiative campaign and Latin American countries are important members on the route. The exchange center is committed to helping China and the LAC countries know more about each other, for a better future of cooperation.

Ma was presented with a replica piece of Uruguay's 1930 World Cup trophy — the country's first of two World Cup top prizes — by the vice tourism minister and an award from the ambassador to celebrate the center's 10th anniversary.